Signs You're House Hunting with an Inexperienced Realtor

The confidence you have in your agent begins with your first interaction.

There are many real estate agents with licenses; however, only a few have the experience required to help you find the perfect home. The house hunting process should begin with finding the right realtor. Unfortunately, you might find yourself working with an unprofessional realtor who is in it for the money, and has no interest in helping you or the homeowner close the deal.

First Impressions

First impressions matter when you are trying to build a relationship with someone who will help you make an important decision in your life. Trust your gut if you come across a realtor who looks shady or unprofessional.You are better off spending a little more time finding the right realtor that wasting time with someone who is not invested in your home buying process.

Availability

Your realtor must respond to your questions and concerns in a timely manner. If you find yourself with unanswered calls, voice mails or texts, you might be in for a rough ride. Communication, especially at the beginning, is important in helping you develop a healthy relationship with your realtor. Continuous conversations can make a difference between you making a move on a hot property or losing it to another buyer.

Another bad sign is a realtor who takes a vacation or a long-weekend break on a whim; a good realtor will communicate their availability before signing you on, and make an effort to reach out to you if they need to leave town or go offline.

Attention

Your realtor must be a good listener; the first interaction should feel a lot like a session with a counselor. If your agent repeatedly misinterprets what you say or fails to ask follow up questions, they do not have the experience you need to find the perfect home.

Experience and knowledge in the industry trains realtors to pay attention to all your needs, listen attentively to your concerns and ask the right questions. This includes helping you create a timeline, presenting potential options for your budget and helping you create a list of 'must-haves' for your new home.

References

Make sure your realtor presents a resume with at least two years' experience in the neighborhood you are considering. Experienced agents will give you a list of former clients you can call for referrals; get in touch with at least five former clients to learn more about their experiences with the realtor and whether they would recommend them to a friend.

If your agent claims to have experience but refuses to provide a references list, you need to re-think your agreement lest you get stuck with someone who has no professional ethic. Sometimes you might find a realtor who has been in the business for under two years with stellar recommendations from former clients; in such a case, prioritize competence over experience.

Professionalism

Professionalism in the real estate begins with proper time management. A bad realtor will fail to show up on time or cancel appointments without prior notice, wasting your time. Disorderly behavior includes personal tardiness, poor phone etiquette, failing to observe basic grammar rules in official emails and poor communication skills.

Additionally, if you find yourself working closely with an assistant instead of the agent, it is time to rethink the relationship. Lastly, your agent must be an honest person who stays true to their word; otherwise, you are probably wasting your time.

Confidence

The confidence you have in your agent begins with your first interaction. If their latest pitch leaves you feeling unsettled, move on and find somebody else. Experienced agents speak with confidence, admit when they do not have a ready answer and commit to finding an answer for you as fast as possible.

Market Knowledge

Once the home search process begins, you will start noticing instances where you realtor seems clueless or unsure of themselves. While you cannot expect an agent to know everything about the industry or market, it is advisable to work with an agent who has enough experience to navigate industry specific challenges. This includes knowledge about schools in the area, recreational facilities and good property lawyers.

Conclusion

House hunting is a long and tedious process; working with the wrong realtor can leave you feeling frustrated throughout the search. In most cases, an inexperienced or incompetent realtor will walk out of the agreement before you can find a home, after wasting your time and resources.

If you notice any of these signs, walk out from the agreement before it is too late. You deserve a realtor who is interested in your needs and in working with you to find the perfect home for you and your loved ones, even if it means working overtime.